Jets, Cumberland Agreed To Terms

The Jets are reportedly interested in bringing back one of their primary tight ends of the last two seasons.

According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, the Jets have talked to prospective free agent Jeff Cumberland about a new contract.

Cumberland, 26, caught 26 passes for 398 yards for the Jets in 2013. He led the club in TD receptions (four) last season.

The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Cumberland has shown some field-stretching ability in the last two seasons, with 13 catches of 20 yards or more in this span. According to Mehta, the club likes Cumberland’s upside.

Kellen Winslow, who led Jets tight ends in receptions in 2013 (31), is also slated to be an unrestricted free agent.

I like what I've seen so far. He has good hands, big and not so slow for his size but good hands. If the field was spread with some good wr's, he would've done some more but he was needed to block more so than to run routes. I'd put him at the 2 spot.

HarlemHxC814, on 20 February 2014 - 12:35 AM, said:

I might be in the minority, but I honestly don't think he's that good. I recognize that Geno has some decent chemistry with him, but I'd keep him as a #3 and no higher than that

The Jets kicked off what promises to be a flurry of moves to improve its offense by securing one of its valued skill position players in the run-up to free agency. The Daily News first reported Friday night that the Jets agreed to terms on a three-year deal with tight end Jeff Cumberland.

The organization is bullish on Cumberland’s ability to take that next step after flashes in his first four seasons. Cumberland, who will turn 27 this summer, had 26 receptions for 398 yards and a team-high four receiving touchdowns last season. He played second fiddle to veteran Kellen Winslow early in the season.

Cumberland, who started 24 games the past two seasons, has 58 career receptions for 795 yards and seven touchdowns.

The move doesn’t necessarily preclude the Jets from adding another tight end in free agency or the draft. Team decision makers are high on Zach Sudfield’s potential, but the Jets need as much as help as it can get for quarterback Geno Smith. Veteran TE John Carlson, who was on the Jets’ radar, signed a two-year deal with the Cardinals earlier Friday.

The Jets have had internal discussions about veteran tight ends Brandon Pettigrew, Ed Dickson and Scott Chandler, according to two team sources. Gang Green is also expected to add at least one wide receiver in free agency. The league’s three-day negotiating window begins Saturday. The official start of free agency is Tuesday at 4 pm.